Synthesis and characterization of titania nanostructures and their application on Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

In the present thesis, nanostructured TiO2 samples were synthesized by using hydrothermal and sol gel methods. The morphology of the nanostructured products was investigated by changing several reaction parameters like time, temperature and starting reagents in order to investigate how the different morphology affects the properties of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) photovoltaic cells. The samples were characterized by many techniques. Structural properties were evaluated by using X-Ray powder diffraction (XRPD); morphological and textural characterization were carried out by Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM); porosity and specific surface area were determined by N2 physisorption at -196°C; optical properties were studied by UV-vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS). Selected nanostructured titania samples were finally used as semiconductor layers for the realization of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells).